Education (School Choice)

This Pennsylvania bill updates the Public School Code to strictly limit the use of artificial intelligence in charter and cyber charter schools. It defines artificial intelligence as machine-based systems that make predictions or decisions and prohibits these schools from using AI to replace human teachers for direct instruction. The law requires local school boards and the state Department of Education to reject applications from schools relying on such models and allows for the nonrenewal or immediate termination of charters that adopt them. Additionally, the bill clarifies the powers and duties of the State Board of Education regarding charter school oversight.

HB 688 imposes a 13-year freeze on new cyber charter school approvals in Pennsylvania, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2038. The bill prohibits the Pennsylvania Department of Education from reviewing or approving any new applications for cyber charter schools during this period, regardless of when the application was submitted. This directly affects organizations or entities seeking to establish new cyber charter schools in the state. The policy change specifically targets new school applications while leaving existing cyber charter schools unaffected.

SB 27 freezes the approval process for new cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania. It prohibits the state education department from reviewing or acting on any new applications for these schools from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2038, regardless of when the application was submitted. This directly affects potential new cyber charter school operators and the department’s application review process. Existing cyber charter schools are not impacted by this moratorium.